1. CV vs. Resume Writing Center Workshop Series
Cynthia Castillo, Undergraduate Writing Consultant
Tanvi Patel, Assistant Director Writing Center

2. CV stands for “Curriculum Vitae”
What Does CV Stand For?
CV stands for “Curriculum Vitae”
Curriculum vitae is Latin for “course of one’s life”
The aim of a CV is to identify your detailed background and qualifications as it relates to a specific field.

3. Why Create a CV?
CVs include area-specific information about your academic background and are tailored towards specific disciplines or jobs.
A CV assists the writer in setting future goals for their academic or professional career.
A CV aids in the organization of non-academic information such as organizations, professional affiliations and memberships.
A CV helps with asking for letters of recommendation from academic references.
In many disciplines, it is the only accepted format for professional and academic qualifications.

4. The 5 “C”s of CV Clear: Well-organized and logical
Concise: Relevant and important
Complete: Includes all aspects of your professional life in relation to your job search
Consistent: Doesn’t mix styles or fonts
Current: Up-to-date and inclusive of current positions
UCLA Graduate Division

5. Formatting The CV General Rules Font: Times New Roman
Print on A4 (8.5 x 11) regular, white paper
Font Size: 12pt
Single-sided
Margins: 1” all around
Include page numbers and Full Name on both sides of page
No graphics and usually no photo of self
Use bold and CAPS only to highlight key areas
Avoid underlining words
General Rules
UCLA Graduate Division

6. Formatting The CV Cont. Sections on the CV Always Include:
Education (usually listed first)
Honors and Awards
Professional Experience
Publications and Presentations
Extracurricular and Volunteer Activities
Professional Affiliations
Sections on the CV
Optional: Depending on Discipline
Objective
Certifications and Licenses
Professional Activities
Research
Skills

7. Formatting The CV Cont.   
More About CVs 

8. What did you learn from the resume? What information stood out?
Formatting The Resume
The Quadrant Test
Split your Resume into four parts – each should have equal amounts of writing
Quadrant 1 – Include the most important information
Avoid excessive white space with this strategy
20 Second Test
Use formatting to emphasize your important content – underline, italics, bold.
Ask a friend or professor to scan your resume for 20 seconds and answer:
What did you learn from the resume? What information stood out?

9. Formatting the Resume Cont.
Business:
Pick specific words to highlight regarding position
Focus on specific areas
Highlight specific achievements exceeding expectations
Use numbers to show progress you have made
Show leadership experience within extracurricular activities
Arts and Communication:
Portfolios and samples should be mentioned
Graphics can demonstrate creativity
Include language proficiency
For other specific fields,
See UC Davis’s resume and CV samples page!

10. Language Tips: Diction
Wordiness
Avoid excessive use of words!
Do not repeat your ideas
Avoid using the same word twice in one sentence/phrase
When revising, try to simplify the idea
Keep the most important words
Vagueness
The more descriptive your language, the better!
Avoid vague words like you, different, stuff, everything, we, something, our, thing, and certain.
Avoid verbs like complete, do, is, appreciate, create, experience, feel, understand, know, and participate in.
Objectivity
Use a formal tone and remove biased opinion!
Avoid putting your own feelings and beliefs into the CV
Do NOT criticize the company or your boss
Remain professional when identifying your critiques
Be respectful!
See sample exercise career services

11. Language Tips: Gapping
Instead of writing your ideas in complete sentences, use the technique of Gapping to save space in your resume or CV.
“Gapping is the use of incomplete sentences in order to present your information as clearly and concisely as possible.” – OWL Purdue Writing Lab
Examples:
Do not: “I taught composition for four years, during which time I planned classes and activities, graded papers, and constructed exams. I also met with students regularly for conferences.
Instead, do this:
Composition Instructor
Planned class activities; Graded all assignments;
Held regular conferences with students

12. Language Tips: Parallelism
In terms of language choices, it is important to follow the Parallelism principle. The aim is to use the same pattern of words to show that each description has the same level of importance.
Parallelism is the consistent use of tenses, formal language, diction, verb phrasing when describing your responsibilities or abilities.
– OWL Purdue Writing Lab
Example:
Do: Mary likes hiking, swimming and biking OR Mary likes to hike, swim, and ride a bike.
Do NOT: Mary likes hiking, to swim and bicycle rides.

13. Content Advice
Make sure to include a list of accomplishments instead of just your responsibilities.
Mention the skills you’ve learned from other positions that you might bring to this new one.
Have your professors, friends, and the Writing Center look over your content and formatting before sending it out.
Do not try to make your CV or resume longer. If you taught one course four times, do not list each one as a separate line.
Tailor the CV or resume for the specific jobs you seek – do not include all experiences if they do not fit.
Do not explain every detail of your experience.

14. ** Now follow up with a visit to the Cal Lutheran Writing Center **
Questions?
Thank you!
** Now follow up with a visit to the Cal Lutheran Writing Center **
cluwritingcenter.wordpress.com